I woke up with a headache, and an image clearly planted in my head. I'd been getting that a lot lately, except this was the first time the image was clear. It was a crystal sea, deep and black. The moonlight reflected off it's waves. I got out of bed and walked downstairs. Mom and Dad were at work. I should have been in school, but I stay out on fridays, because I used to go up every friday to visit Grandma in Maine. Then she moved to California, but with my scedule, my parents figured it's easier for me just to stay home friday. My teachers aren't thrilled.

     I opened the door. Another beautiful Juin day. I put on my flip flops and took a walk down the street. The best way for me to wake up in the morning is to get some fresh air. I walked all the way down to the golf coarse and then back again, past the giant maple tree and my favorite house on the street, a little French half-timbered tutor. I waved to the mailman and old Mrs. Patty and some little boys fooling around on a scooter. I decided to go in through the back door. I walked around the back of my house and nearly lost my jaw. There it was. Instead of my backyard or the woods in back, there was a giant crystal sea- the one from my dream!

     About thirty-five yards out, I saw a small dark figure. I was drawn to it. To the crystal sea. I stepped in, and my feet became as cold as ice. I fell into the water, but I wasn't drowning. I realized I could breathe. I kicked myself up onto the surface. My vision had improved a million times. I had to be dreaming. I swam out to the distant figure with unbelievable speed. It was a woman, with long, golden hair.

     "Hello, Claire," she said. " I've been waiting for you." Her voice was as sweet as honey and as smooth as silk. "My name is Chasandelyn, but you can call me Della. I am a crystal siren. When I see a young girl like you who I would like to help, I send out and create my crystal lake in the place where they reside. These are my waters. I gaurd them and protect them."

     "How come I need help?" I asked.

     "I have chosen you to help me free the  Water Realm of bad witches. Become a crystal siren, and you will see.

     "What exactly is a crystal siren?" The woman smiled and lifted a beautiful, shining blue tale out of the water. "A mermaid?" I asked.

     "More then just that. We are powerful swimmers and fighters who's destiny is to gaurd our very own crystal lake. A home to us and much other magical wildlife."

     By then, I was pretty much at loss for words.

     To be continued...